From left to right:
A custom made metal cross given to me as a gift many years ago in high school by my good friend and mentor Tom Meacham. The cross is empty and says, “He is Alive!” Tom was my introduction to Anglicanism, C.S. Lewis, all things Inter-Varsity and many good times.
Anglican prayer beads I bought two years ago. I use them to pray the Jesus Prayer, Lord’s Prayer and for various people. When I feel a bead, I think of a person. It’s a great way to focus prayer away from distractions and to a simple, physical action. I love the cross.
An olive wood carving of Jesus Denise gave me for Christmas. He is carrying the cross, and it reminds me that there is no bottom to his forgiveness. “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.”
My Alan Creech gear. I keep this in my pocket. Just feeling it in my hand during the day is a reminder of Jesus and the need to pray for my students, family, etc. Both rosaries have the cross of St. Francis, who is a very important inspiration to me as I think about living a “Jesus shaped” spirituality.
A St. Benedict’s Cross that I bought at Gethsemane monastery almost two years ago. It was a very special day I spent with my son. When I see it I think of my children and rejoice that they know and love Christ who died for them. I also think of a particular monk who has been a spiritual friend in absentia for a long time. I wear this cross when I preach during Holy Week.
None of this is “Catholic.” It’s all just a way to remember Jesus, be more focused and prayerful.
The evangelical wilderness is a lonely place. The post-evangelical journey is enriched with reminders that we have a better past than the ugly views of one another we’re sold on the internet. How terrible a thing it is to reject one for whom Christ died and to say, in the place of God, that a person is cut off from Christ. Let them grow together and God will be the judge of all of us. Kyrie.
I thank God that my Baptist tradition does not teach salvation by denomination, but by faith in Jesus alone. While we may not be in the same congregation or at the same table, we can affirm and encourage one another’s faith. Don’t we ALL need to hear the Gospel?
More gear later.
COMMENTERS: What’s your gear? What’s the story? Have any pics on flickr or elsewhere?
The Internet Monk Archives 
Anne G: it’s actually “pantocrator” or “pantokrator” (no “e”) [greek ΠαντοκÏάτωÏ] meaning “Almighty” or “All-Powerful.”
LikeLike
Description under picture. I have far to go to catch up with the rest of you, but I think I have the cutest bear!
LikeLike
I kind of wish I had a cross or something to wear around my neck … just as a reminder sometimes. Then again, many people who don’t even know who Christ is wear crosses, so I don’t want to be like them.
I’d rather people saw Christ in my actions than on my neck.
LikeLike
Bob Brague and Brian, Thomas Howard, from Evangelical Royalty, wrote a book called Evangelical is Not Enough. He gives an excellent description of symbolism, the use of symbolism in worship, and why human beings respond to symbols.
If you wonder if you might ever be interested, you might want to look at a picture of an icon called the Pantocreator. There are many versions, like the one Michael has on this blog, but also many different ones. There is a lot of symbolic information in it, but also, centuries of prayer inspired by it. You might find the experience interesting. You don’t worship the icon. Each part of the picture tells you something about the Person who created the world and our relationship to HIm. You “gaze” at it, you don’t stare at it and you don’t worship the icon. Just a thought. AnneG in NC
LikeLike
Mike, I love this thread. Very interesting. I didn’t think I had much gear, but, when I looked around I realized we had amassed quite a collection: Several rosaries from Rome, blessed by JPII, a 30+ year old rosary, my first given to me by a friend and out for repair, a 1 decade one from Guatemala and a gold rosary bracelet from a friend. Also, a couple of Alan’s rosaries soon on the way to my son and grandson. I have an icon of Our Lady of Tenderness in the entryway, OLPH in the bedroom along with the Pantocreator, both from Greece, an egg with Our Lady Hedegira from the Czech Republic, who looks into the kitchen where I spend a lot of time and 2 paintings on glass with Our Lady on one and St Michael the Archangel on the other, also from the Czech Republic. a small, ceramic Our Lady Protegenos my son bought when he was 8 for Mother’s Day. A small image statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe from Guatemala, a copy of the Presentation from a 12th Century altar from Heiligencreuz in Austria. Every bedroom has a cross, Christus Rex or Crucifix. Also in the entryway, an icon I embroidered of Jesus with the surprised sheep that reminds me He is always there. This along with several bookshelves of theology, spirituality and devotion, not to mention Bibles of various translations in 2 languages. Interesting to make an inventory and realize how important religious art, imagery and symbolism are in our home.
LikeLike
Well, I’ve not seen the cross, but I have stood and walked around in what’s left of Cong Abbey. 🙂
Brian – on the defensive thing, for me as a Catholic I’ll answer – it’s what I like to call PTESD – that’s Post Traumatic Ecclesiastical Stress Disorder – it’s when you hang around a lot of “hyper Protestants” (I say hyper because they’re certainly not all that way) and get proverbially shot at, have to dodge so much polemical grenade shrapnel, etc. for so long, when you are back in the world and somebody throws question at you that’s just normal in their head, to us it sometimes sounds like an AK-47 round going off – we hit the floor and start shooting back – auto pilot. It’s not a good thing, but may be a little bit helpful as an explanation.
Peace to all in this house! what was that!!?? hit the dirt!!! Oh, sorry – crap! crap!
LikeLike
I have the ‘temptation in the desert’ icon by Br. Lavrans of Gethsemani Abbey. It was given to me by my husband when I made my commitment to the Lay Cistercians. It,of course, has a story regarding my own seach for Holiness.
I also have the famous Holy Trinity icon. I have quite a number of cross necklaces which I almost always wear. Because I am a Christian.
As far as the Rosary goes: I am not a RC but I don’t see the difference in RCs or others praying the Rosary and Praise and Worship Christians singing Praise songs over and over. They are both mantras.
LikeLike
I spent many happy years as a Quaker (now a RC), so I can understand why someone might be baffled by others’ use of religious “props.” Ultimately, I think, most of us would agree that if your heart is right, the props don’t matter. As for the possessions we’re describing — it’s not a case of “needing” them in order to practice one’s religion — it is more like, these are mementos, pieces of art, something to hold onto or look at as a reminder.
Some people do come to depend on the props more than they should. I’ve seen some pretty wild statements out there that sound more like magic than Christianity. But in my experience, it’s not that the objects produce the attitude but vice versa — people who are not ready to simply trust in Jesus make up elaborate rituals that they believe will somehow protect them from evil.
As for my own “gear” — I don’t think about them much, but there are a few crosses in my house, a blessing tacked up next to my door and a palm-leaf cross over it. I wear a San Damiano cross on a chain as a routine part of my “underwear.” I also have a copy of the Liturgy of the Hours in my nightstand (though I don’t read it very often). And several Bibles in the bookcase, including a KJV given to me when I was 12 and a couple of modern translations.
Interestingly, while I am a medieval historian researching the history of rosary and Christian prayer beads, and while I am a Catholic, I rarely pray the rosary myself. Because of the history project, I have quite a collection of beads of various forms, but it’s hardly fair to count them as “gear” {grin}.
I’ve written a series of essays on Protestants and the Rosary that some may find of interest:
Part I: Protestants and the Rosary
Part II: Worship, honor, and the Virgin Mary
Part III: Addressing saints
Part IV: Can Protestants hail Mary?
LikeLike
Radagast, Wikipedia has done all the heavy lifting already:
“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_of_Cong
The Cross of Cong is an early 12th century Irish Christian ornamented processional cusped cross, which was made at the behest of Turlough O’Connor (d. 1156), King of Connacht and High King of Ireland. It was designed to be placed on top of a religious staff or crosier. It was made for the Cathedral church of the period that was located at Tuam, County Galway, Ireland. The cross was subsequently moved to Cong Abbey (an Abbey located at Cong, County Mayo, near the border with County Galway), from which it takes its name. It is also a reliquary, designed to hold a piece of the purported True Cross. This gave it additional importance as an object of reverence and was undoubtedly the reason for the object’s elaborate beauty.
Today the cross is stored in the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin, but was previously stored in the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin. It is considered one of finest specimens of metalwork and decorative art of its age in Western Europe.”
Which is why I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it re-imagined (that’s the kindest term for what they did) as the ‘vampire cross’ in the film.
On the one hand, I was delighted that the art department knew of this important art work, on the other hand, I thought it was dashed cheek to use it in such a way (now, had they used it as a famous vampire-dispelling cross, I might have been more gruntled) 🙂
LikeLike
Martha,
Now I have to go look up the Cross of Cong…
LikeLike
My gear:
1) Mariner’s Cross (Crucifix for the nit pickers)
2) Emmaus Cross
I tend to wear message (silent witness) t-shirts a lot. Current favorites
Return of the King (of Kings)
(Front) Christianity is not a religion
(back) Religion is humans trying to work their way to God
Christianity is God Coming to men and women through a relationship with Jesus Christ
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever beliveth in Him should not perish but, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
LikeLike
My “gear”
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiredance/3409801989/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiredance/3409803567/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiredance/3410613580/
1st is my desktop, cluttered with stuff as usual, kinda having my rosary and my crucifix in the foreground.
The crucifix I got from my father, he was raised as Roman Catholic, but attends at the local Baptist church, he got it from a friend of his (who, for some reason has a few more of these, though he’s not even Christian afaik), and then my father gave it to me.
The rosary is a Catholic rosary, I bought it as an aid for prayer a few weeks ago, simply to keep me centered. I was also thinking of praying the Protestant rosary as found here: http://www.pathguy.com/rosary.htm – I could never pray to Mary, but I just love having a tool to keep me focused, and to pray in a way I never was taught to.
Looking around I also find 2 Bibles and Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History on my desktop, plus in the bag I carry I have a short book with selected prayers & songs etc. of St. Francis of Assisi.
I’m also Baptist (supposedly). Not from the USA, so SB-NBC distinction here…
LikeLike
Ky boy – not a lot of Irish speaking Protestants, but there are some (I think). A lot to do with the history of our two islands and their relationship (basically, it’s The Eight Hundred Years) 😉
I don’t actually know – that’s a fascinating question. I’ve never heard any objections from the Church of Ireland side; indeed, in my secondary school history book from way back in the late 1970s was an example of an Elizabethan primer, which had Latin, English and Irish in it – kind of a helpful translation of common phrases for the Protestant catechist amongst the wild Irish, and one of the phrases was indeed “Dia dhuit” – but they didn’t give the response.
LikeLike
Austin – yes, sometimes I do wonder “Hey, when are we going to have the evil institutional Eastern Orthodox with all the secret societies and world-domination plots, eh? I mean, they’ve been around as long!” When is Dan Brown going to write The Rubliev Code?
Then again, it’s probably a compliment in horror films when the fearless vampire hunters visit the local Catholic church to stock up on monster slaying items (though I wince at the misuse of the Host in these films). Funnily enough, the most outraged I was was with “John Carpenter’s Vampires”, because they used the Cross of Cong and never either alluded to the fact that it was Irish and had absolutely nothing to do with the creation of vampires – I was sitting there going “Hey, that’s the Cross of Cong! They’re using a real cross instead of inventing their own! That’s ours! Cheek of them!”:
In the main, what makes me roll my eyes are silly little errors that they have no excuse for not getting right (e.g. having a bishop wearing a rosary around his neck instead of a pectoral cross; getting the habits of religious orders completely wrong; things like that). The ‘evil institutional church covering up the Real Truth about Christ and plotting to take over the world and send us all back to the Dark Ages’ just makes me yawn because, really, what can you do with that kind of attitude? All the explaining in the world won’t drive it into their thick skulls that maybe, just maybe, they might be the slightest bit offensive?
As when they were filming the follow-up to “The DaVinci Code”, “Angels and Demons”, in Rome and were all upset and hurt because the Vatican wouldn’t give them permission to film in churches. Goodness me, whyever could that be? Hmmm? Oh, that mean old Catholic Church – so unreasonable! 😉
LikeLike
iMonk,
Maybe I just said it wrong. I don’t really feel “deficient” — more of a “What am I missing here? Why do so many have “gear”? Why doesn’t my corner of the Christian world see the necessity in it? Why does theirs?”
Maybe my thinking is warped. Maybe yours is.
Maybe I’m making it worse.
I’m certainly not against diversity in the body of Christ. So is it a cultural thing, ya think?
LikeLike
I think that even as children we make use of our senses in learning in varying ways. My husband is so visually inclined that he has to look at a coin to tell what it is. I always found that odd because I know by touch. I am sure some could identify a coin by the sound it makes when it hits the floor.
I routinely place my fingers around my little cross and think Christ Lives! Thank you, Jesus! Another person might feel the same by looking at an image in a book or smelling the scent of a candle or incense or listening to a church bell or hymn.
I think the same is probably true when quieting our minds for prayer. I usually rely on music, but being one who is more inclined toward touch, the prayer beads really interested me. Growing up Southern Baptist I don’t think I was ever introduced to anything that might be considered a prayer aid that I could touch. About the only religious decoration in our home was praying hands.
I think it’s helpful to keep open to learning from other traditions. If open to worshiping with all our senses we can find what helps us most, individually.
LikeLike
Brian,
Some of us just like “smells and bells” meaning that some things whether it be for seeing, or for smelling or for hearing cause my brain to take notice and think of God/Jesus or something I read in scripture. So, to me, gear is cool. Actually smells are cool too (maybe we could do something along those lines) and that is part of the reason why I have a secret affection for the eastern church – and don’t forget about the bells.
But Brian – it isn’t a neccesity. Oh – and my love of history plays a part too…
LikeLike
The Ten Commandments on a wood and brass plaque in our foyer.
LikeLike
GNW_Paul,
That exactly how I felt when I lived in New York up to age 11…
And we had a number of yamakas [sp.] lying aroungd too…
LikeLike
I hear ya. Nowhere in this thread does anyone judge anyone. That is what makes it a great thread to read.
LikeLike
Martha
“The Mormons were fine with the ‘God be with you’ part but couldn’t on doctrinal grounds say ‘and Mary’ so they had to find another method of saying “Hello†before they could even begin proselytising Irish speakers.”
Just curious but is this greeting used by both RC’s and Protestants?
LikeLike
If it was just your comment, Brian, I wouldn’t even notice, but Bob’s line is the sort of line that makes any kind of diversity in the body of Christ someone’s enemy.
“You charismatics make me feel inferior when you raise your hands.”
And so on.
Talking to one another about a meaningful place, experience, or possession is not judging another person’s spirituality, and I’m disappointed that Bob would feel he has to couch this in terms like “if that makes me a terrible Christian…”
LikeLike
Imonk:
This is the bad thing about blogs and email.
I do not think or fell I am “bad” Christian at all because I have no “gear”. The thing I agree with that Bob said is that I do not understand the need or the desire. Thats all.
If people can grow closer to the Lord with “gear” or without “gear” both are great, because our Lord is Great!
Dont throw things.
LikeLike
***Throwing things****
***Dog running***
LikeLike
Bob and Brian:
Where did anyone say a person “had” to have anything on here? Where did anyone say you’re a bad Christian if you’ve got nothing? What do you think we’re doing here? Trying to tell you how to live or pray? Check again please.
People are telling their own stories of things that are meaningful to them. We’ve done it on here with Bibles and maybe we’ll have CCM night soon.
Make an effort to see what is and is not being said. If you don’t relate, that doesn’t mean it’s a put down of you. Just make an effort to read and not say “well it must mean I’m a bad Christian.”
>If that makes me a terrible person and a seriously deficient Christian in the eyes of some, so be it.
I cannot believe I am reading that sentence. WHERE on this thread are you getting that?
The right to be different. It’s a wonderful thing. I’m happy that you are who you are and have not read one word that anyone ought to be like anyone else.
ms
LikeLike
Bob – I am with you. I do not understand the need for “gear”. Not that it is wrong, I just do not get it.
Oh well.
LikeLike
I don’t have any “gear” to report.
If that makes me a terrible person and a seriously deficient Christian in the eyes of some, so be it.
Nothing I have read on this thread so far makes me want to start carrying “gear” either.
Where is the scripture that says, “You shall know them by their ‘gear'”? I keep forgetting.
I hope this doesn’t come across as judgmental. I’m just confused as to the need/desire for “gear.”
LikeLike
Have been watching this site for several weeks now and find it totally refreshing! Having been a Baptist all my life until recently, I never gave much thought to my “gear”. After looking around me, I actually have quite a bit. I even have a rosery somewhere (I remember my mother bought it at a garage sale…she thought it was a pretty necklace.) There are several wall crosses, a procelin “Faith” angel ( I couldn’t afford Hope, Love and Joy to complete the set), a Thomas Kinkade print of Jesus, a picture of Jesus praying that I bought at Knox Berry Farm when I was 12 and has always been with me, a jar of sand from the Sea of Galilee that a friend brought back from a visit, a wood burned plac with the Lord’s Prayer on it, a ten comandment charm braclet that I’ve had since I was a kid, lots of cross necklaces, a couple of crucifixes (cause I wasn’t allowed to have one as a kid), a picture of two children crossing a bridge with a gardian angel in the background that hung in my room as a child and hung in my kids room as well (but most of the glitter has fallen off the angle wings), a red wood slice with Jesus knocking at a door painted on it, a ship with “the will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot keep you” engraved on brass sails. a “widow’s mite” that I got free with a trial subscrition to Human Events and yes, even a velvet painting of Jesus praying in the garden (it got wet the last time I moved and is somewhere in the garrage…
LikeLike
Radaghast,
I think you grew up in the same neighborhood as my wife. One of the more endearing things she said while we were dating:
“I was in fifth grade when I found out you could be anything other that Catholic or Jewish!”
Peace
@GNW_Paul
LikeLike
Austin,
“Do you guys ever get offended or tired of all the horror stories that involve RC priest, churches, and such?”
In the seventees I watched a lot of movies from the 40’s and 50’s. Seemed there were a lot of priests representing religious folk (Bing Crosby, Walter Brennan, Cagney and Bogart portraying the bad element when some good Irish priest was trying to talk them back to the light) – and since I grew up in a predominantly Catholic neighborhood (actually you were either Catholic or Jewish) this seemed “normal”. In fact I remember for a while I couldn’t understand why the “Priest” (he was a minister) in the cheesy 1950’s War of the Worlds Sci-Fi flick had a daughter!
The Exorcist (which scared the bejeezuz out of me at age 11) had some priests too and again seem to fit OK. Since that time though I haven’t watched some of the other stuff so I can’t judge. The diVinci code and that ilk never interested me.
LikeLike
Prodigal Sarah:
Those are examples of the kinds of prayers that are found in the Anglican Prayer bead tradition. Awesoe theological prayers. And we call all value them.
Sad to hear anyone disparage these prayers, which can become part of our memory and be so full of meaning.
peace
ms
LikeLike
Austin:
Do you guys ever get offended or tired of all the horror stories that involve RC priest, churches, and such?
In the past 3 or 4 years I’ve gotten a little weary of the “bad priest” theme, and tired of the trivialization and stereotyping of religion in general.
As for the Catholic stuff I seldom get offended. I think mostly we are just accustomed to it the same as everyone else. Catholic or High Anglican liturgy with candles and stained glass and incense and bells, and crucifixes and statues and the stations of the cross are very dramatic and moving images. The vestments and a little Latin. Throw in some pipe organ, Gregorian chant, Gothic architecture. A real deliberate sense of the ancient and the mysterious.
With so much rich symbolism and imagery I can see why people love to use it in drama. Usually, I’d say I’m sort of pleased that they are attracted to using such scenes.
In the last ten years I have found myself more often being disturbed or frustrated by particular shows – especially on TV. Of course the DiVinci Code is pretty bad.
What disturbs me is that a new formula seems to be emerging of really being demeaning or critical of faith in general and Catholicism in particular.
Where I used to just enjoy Catholic scenes, now I watch more critically, half expecting to find something to object to. Actually, most of the time my objections are minor. Occasionally, I feel offended. However, most of the shows that have offended me haven’t lasted even a full season.
Law and Order, particularly SVU has had a number of episodes and scenes with Catholic themes and they haven’t been perfect, but I haven’t been too upset by them. CSI has dealt with some too, and have been reasonable.
Criminal Minds had a recent episode revolving around exorcism that I actually felt fairly positive about. From the previews I was expecting it to be deplorable.
I guess what I am growing tired of is the theme of the ‘evil lurking in the Church’ (Catholic or otherwise) not the using of the imagery.
Just my Take
@GNW_Paul
LikeLike
I am one of those easily distracted while praying. This discussion got me thinking about prayer beads, something I’ve never given any thought to. A little more research took me to this page about Anglican Prayer Beads including a number of prayers.
http://www.kingofpeace.org/prayerbeads.htm
In particular I feel drawn to the Celtic Prayer.
LikeLike
Rich–just have to give a shout out to your list of who you are. You aren’t alone… 🙂 I’m with you on about 95% of it… Which liturgy of the hours do you listen to?
LikeLike
How could I have forgotten? A good friend who swam the Tiber years ago went to the Vatican and brought me back a Rosary that had been blessed by Pope John Paul II. It hung in our entryway as a decoration for years, until we moved, Now it is in my daughter’s bedroom in a Jewelry box.
LikeLike
Matthew Peterson:
I usually either:
1) Pray my own version of the Jesus prayer on the bead: “Lord Jesus Christ, (Lamb or) Son of (the Living) God, have mercy on me, a (the) sinner.
2) Or I pray for people/requests on the beads. Just by name. No yakkety yak.
peace
ms
LikeLike
If we’re getting sidetracked on the Rosary, I have to link to the LOLSaints for yesterday:
http://www.lolsaints.com/
See the entry for 2nd April 🙂
LikeLike
Radagast – I know! I almost feel like getting someone more knowledgeable about digital cameras and computers and things to take a photo, just to prove that most elusive of sightings, even rarer than Nessie or the Abominable Snowman – a Catholic Bible! 😉
My mother bought it years ago from a door-to-door salesman. She also, when driving, always stopped to give lifts to the Mormon missionaries, because she used to feel so sorry for the young men trudging along Irish country roads in the summer sunshine in their nice shirts and ties – it’s a thankless task trying to convert Irish country people to Mormonism; there was even a bit about it on national radio twenty or more years back, when they were trying to evangelise Irish speakers and had to learn a different greeting than the usual one in Irish, because to say “Hello” in Irish involves Mary* and Mormons don’t believe in goddess worship 🙂
* Person doing the greeting says Dia dhuit/dhibh: God (be) with you (singular/(plural)
Person being greeted responds Dia ‘s Mhuire dhuit/dhibh: God and Mary (be) with you (singular/plural)
The Mormons were fine with the ‘God be with you’ part but couldn’t on doctrinal grounds say ‘and Mary’ so they had to find another method of saying “Hello” before they could even begin proselytising Irish speakers.
LikeLike
Webmonk,
While I’m not bothered by using prayer aids, I can appreciate not being able to pray the way many can. One of the reasons that I do not pray the rosary is that I am unable to be mediating on one thing while my mouth is praying “Hail Mary’s” It will not work for me.
That’s one reason I like the Liturgy of the Hours, your mind and mouth are on the same thing.
LikeLike
My wife thought I was being overzealous when I bought a polynesian artsy looking wrought iron cross and hung it outside the back door.
My home is icon free otherwise. No religious art or symbols to speak of.
Now I am feeling very much the stodgy protestant compared to you and all of your “gear”, Micheal.
LikeLike
On the various walls of my house: a hammered steel Celtic cross, an bit of Arabic calligraphy that says, “The Peace of Christ be upon you this Christmas,” a pewter crucifix, a small brass bas-relief piece that says, “Ich bin bei auch” and a hand-carved processional cross from the Ethiopian Christian church. On my bedside table is a copy of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. On the living room coffee table are a Treasury of Daily Prayer, an ESV Bible, and Lutheran Service Book.
I can’t pray ex corde. My mind wanders too much; two minutes into it, I’m wondering what to make for dinner, violating the Tenth commandment, falling alseep, or all three. I need the written prayers, hymns, scripture passages, and visual reminders.
LikeLike
Ooooh I also have a “shrine” in my SBC church office.
It includes Icons of Jesus and St. Anthony (pragmatism again) as well as a picture of the blessed virgin that some nuns gave me as a wedding gift. A wooden cross stands upright with a rosary draped around it. And finally, some sacrilege: a carved wooden Tiki statue we picked up on our honeymoon that signifies love, and a battery operated maneki neko complete with the waving arm.
LikeLike
Brian–Joe said it correctly. I like to walk and pray because if I stand still my mind wonders. So too, “gear” should lead toward a more active prayer life, time of reflection, thoughts on things above, ect. If the “gear” is not doing that, it is worth nothing to the person.
I wear a grey rubber band that says “pray for China” in English and Chinese. About once a month I witness to strangers in explaining the band.
LikeLike
I suspect I have some sort of mental disorder that turns things like beads and pictures into distractions.
I’ve tried to develop the habit of using them a couple times, but after I kept factoring the number of beads and then counting the number of dimples on one of the beads and then calculated what the total number of dots were if that bead was an average bead, and then started counting backwards from the total estimated number of dots by the number of beads …. yeah, it never seemed to go well.
I’m a math/science guy, so I realize I have “issues”. :^)
Basically I REALLY have to close my eyes and work at keeping a train of thought together during prayer. Things in my hands turn into fiddling trinkets which distract me – that includes things like a Bible.
I admit I am somewhat envious of the stories here.
LikeLike
Sorry, forgot one that’s important.
The small 1929 BCP that was given to my mother-in-law when my in-laws were married. I carried it as my “something borrowed” in my wedding, and my MIL recently gave it to me.
Prodigal Sarah, I wish I could grow some. I have a brown thumb.
D.
LikeLike
Ray A (and anyone else interested): Find a good beading supply store, where they will have beading silk from Germany – yes, actual silk, stronger by weight than steel. Select from several neutral colors and make your “chain” using a four strand braid: take the outside strand under two, over one, repeat on opposite side; repeat pattern until a little longer than the length you want. Don’t use too much tension so it will stay fairly flat and not twist. Slide on your cross, make small knots in the ends and knot the two ends together. Disadvantage: not adjustable and you can’t undo it, so be sure it’s long enough to go over your head. Advantages: washable (lukewarm water), takes years to wear out, lightweight, soft and strong. I use two 2-meter packs and make a knot in the middle of the length of them together, yielding the four strands and one knotted end; maximum length with the tension I use is about 30″.
Now to gear (don’t have a web site for photos):
Key fob: faceted silver Celtic cross (also Montana state quarter, where I was born long before it was fashionable to be from there).
Around my computer: icon of the prophet Daniel, icon cards of the Trinity, Christ the Bridegroom during Lent, and the holy physician healers Panteleimon and Anastasia of Rome (I work in the medical field).
Icon corner: various icons, mostly of Jesus; also my grandmother’s ebony crucifix, a bronze “tree of life” cross from a Ben. monastery in Germany, and a crystal Celtic knot cross; my mother’s statue of St. Francis of Assisi and a tiny St.F medal from Italy which she wore often during her last years; the plaster Mary statue sent home with me by the nuns who took care of me in the Catholic orphanage the first two weeks of my life. (I got rid of most of my RC gear when I left, but I never could toss that statue- kept it wrapped up in a box during my +30 year sojourn as a Protestant. She’s out now- Carolina blue robe and Nordic features and all.)
Bible and prayer books: many icon cards.
On my person: a set of Alan Creech Orthodox prayer beads in my pocket; around my neck on above described gray silk “chain”, a silver phos/zoe cross I bought a few years ago -not knowing where my path would lead- and a silver and garnet cross of St. Cuthbert, in tribute to all the Celtic saints and especially Cuthbert, because looking back to those Jesus-followers was of immeasurably great solace as my theology was unraveling, and also in gratitude for NT Wright, who made it possible for me to truly worship Jesus after having been a Christian all my life- it’s his pectoral cross as bishop of Durham. I will replace the phos/zoe with a typical small silver Orthodox cross once I am chrismated.
Forgive this for being so long- I thought the silk cord instructions could be useful.
Dana
LikeLike
oooh this is one for the Gearheads!
As much as I feel silly when I’m not able to get “spiritual” without an adequate supply of “equipment”, I must confess….
I have and use a rosary that my mother-in-law (catholic) gave me. She got it from the Vatican (John Paul).
I also have one for everyday use, and I’m hoping to get a Creech model and some Anglican and Orthodox ones.
And though these things, along with the Bible, the BCP, and the Baptist Hymnal, DO enrich my spiritual life by focusing it on Christ alone….
I still feel silly with my stack of equipment on the bed stand that I simply need to be devotional.
I’ll get over it. It works. *guilty of pragmatism.
LikeLike
iMonk,
Do you use the one decade Rosary to pray Jesus Prayers or anything like that?
Also, one thing I do that you (perhaps with your wife) may be able to do is to meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary while praying Jesus Prayers (I use “Lord Jesus Christ son of Mary have mercy on us sinners” so it is at least a little Marian). For the last two mysteries, substitute the Assumption and Crowning of the Church for the Assumption and Crowning of Mary.
LikeLike
oh, and Calvin himself suggested the continued use of the Mereau (which btw, has a representation of Jesus on it)
The irony abounds with todays Neo’s.
LikeLike
“non-perfunctory and non-selfish” prayers, I mean.
LikeLike
something I have not acquired yet, but will, is a mereaux –
The méreau (plural méreaux) is a circular token which the Huguenots used in France from the 1550’s to the mid 19th century. During holy communion an elder would give, before the service, a méreau to each parishioner who qualified to receive the sacrament. The others, who did not attend catechism regularly or had been admonished by the consistory, would not receive a mereau. During the service each individual would hand his mereau to an elder standing next to the communion table before receiving bread and wine.
Mereaux were also used as a means of identification between believers (Calvinists, that is)
LikeLike
I use icons in prayer to help me mediate between God and myself.
Like meditating on a piece of scripture (say, “Create a clean heart in me, Oh God”), looking into an icon helps me to shut my internal dialog up so that I can better focus my entire soul on God/Jesus.
This type of centering prayer or lexio divina is something I borrowed from the Catholics and have found to be of great value in my Christian journey.
But again, these are only tools, mediators, to help me focus myself on God — you implicitly know they are not God or a representation of God.
Sometimes I have to pray for long periods of time before those prayers become non-perfunctory and selfish, if that makes any sense.
LikeLike
Brian,
I think that what caused some of us to get defensive wasn’t your question, “Why do you use gear?” But the second one about it leading to worshipping them.
To answer your first question, some of us need material things to help us in prayer, in worship, and just to be the person that God desires us to be.
To paraphrase Morris West in “The Devil’s Advocate” “God didn’t make us with our souls in a separate bag that we could take it out and polish it, but that our souls and bodies couldn’t be separated.”
Ed,
Two sources for nice icons that I use are Orthodox festivals-good food and most of them do sell religous objects, and ebay.
LikeLike
Patrick W,
Agreed. A lot baptist will have a lot to get through if they find salvation.
I think most Protestants, and baptist, would argue that there is at least less “stuff” on this “side” to get in the way, but I digress.
I definately agree with your point.
In my study, at church, there is a horrible “velvet” Jesus praying in the garden. I have never removed it b/c i’m sure somebody’s great aunt sally donated it and it would be a big deal.
I can’t imagine SS literature without pictures.
Along with my many other personality splits, I consider myself an avid horror film buff. I’m not sure why but horror films were allowed in my house when a lot of raunchy commedy and action stuff wasn’t (probably b/c my parents liked them and justified it to them selves)
This question is for the Roman Catholics-
Do you guys ever get offended or tired of all the horror stories that involve RC priest, churches, and such?
Why are there no horror films with a bapist minister or a methodist choir master as the main character?
That’s way off topic so cut if you want Imonk
LikeLike
I have a number of crossed and icons at home. One interesting thing at home is a Christmas wreath made with barbed wire. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I love the symbolism.
In my purse, I carry at least one rosary. The one that has saved me from serious sin at least once was a military chaplain’s. (It saved me from taking communion unworthily, because I got upset at the presider during Mass.)
On me, I wear a string cross from El Salvador and a holy medal of St. Bernadette.
Ray,
Another solution would be a satin cord, assuming that the fasteners were strong enough.
LikeLike
Why is it that when I ask a question on this blog everyone turns defensive?
A question is just seeking knowledge, not judging whether or not it is right or wrong.
LikeLike
The only gear we have in our family are Huguenot crosses.
The interesting part of the Cross is that it is explicitly two things – a means of identification, and a means of remembrance
The insignia consists of an open four-petal Lily of France — reminiscent of the Mother Country of France — in which each petal radiates outward in the shape of a “V” to form a Maltese Cross. The four petals signify the Four Gospels. Each petal, or arm, has at its outside periphery two rounded points at the corners. These rounded points are regarded as signifying the Eight Beatitudes.
The four petals are joined together by four fleur-de-lis, also reminiscent of the Mother Country of France. Each fleur-de-lis has has three petals. The twelve petals of the four fleur-de-lis signify the Twelve Apostles.
An open space in the shape of heart is formed between each fleur-de-lis and the arms of the two petals with which it is joined. This shape — a symbol of loyalty — suggests the seal of the great French Reformer, John Calvin.
A descending dove pendant representing the Saint Esprit or “Sainted Spirit” — the guide and counselor of the Church — is suspended from a ring of gold attached to the lower central petal.
And Bibles of course – cause we believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Bible. Like all good Baptists. Got to stay away from that Holy Spirit. Which is ironic in itself, considering how important the Holy Spirit was once considered by Calvinists, but now the NR are afraid of.
LikeLike
Raga:
I am definitely not saying having icons is wrong, I am just trying to see what others think.
I am not saying one should or should not have them.
I am not trying to judge. I am just trying to understand why? I have never used “gear” so it is new to me.
If someone has and uses “gear” to help them get closer to Christ and not use them as their god, so be it.
LikeLike
Brian,
I don’t think we need to get into situations where we throw the baby out with the bathwater. Simply because something could be misused doesn’t mean we should avoid it altogether. There are tons of things in our lives that can be used for good/neutral purposes or bad ones: TV, radio, internet, books, certain foods and beverages. But we don’t advocate withdrawing from such things just to avoid slippery slopes (unless we’re Amish).
LikeLike
Austin — I often get the “Catholics can be Christians” line. My favorite reply is “Yes, Baptists can, too.”
My gear: a medal with St Dymphna on one side and St. Joseph on the other. Dymphna is patroness of mental illness and I frequently ask her intercession for my son who is seriously ill. St Joseph is, to me, a model husband and father and I strive to follow his example.
Sometimes I wear a plain cross (not crucifix) I got while on vacation in Playa del Carmen. I was strangely drawn to it in the outdoor market and after passing by several times I finally bought it. Soon afterward, I began the journey to becoming Catholic. Make of that what you will.
I have a rosary made by a friend of my wife that was sent to me as a birthday present. I was just starting RCIA. One day I thought to myself “I should get a rosary” while on the way to the post office. Minutes after having that thought, I opened our PO box to find an envelope from my wife’s friend with a card and the rosary. Coincidence? I think not. I still use it today.
LikeLike
An icon is an image that shows us something of Jesus’ nature; it’s not meant to be a literal representation. An idol is meant to be the literal god/person/ whatever.
Icons are not idols unless we mistake them for the actual thing being represented.
LikeLike
I wear a plain little gold cross, empty. It is my ever-present reminder that Christ lives!
The rest, I grow. In my Bible garden I grow olive, pomegranate, grape and fig along with a variety of herbs and roses. Whether I’m pruning the grapes or looking at the new growth on the figs, Christ’s words always come to mind and I ponder them as I garden.
Perhaps it’s something to do with my Baptist upbringing but I don’t have any statues in the garden. I do have a variety of little rocks and stones with verses and words like Trust and Peace.
I keep a little Trust rock on my desk and sometimes carry it in my pocket. This probably has the greatest significance. When I was at a most desperate point going through a family crisis and then a cancer scare, I prayed for more strength. God told me Trust. Since then, through every challenge I try to remember that I don’t need more strength or more anything. I do need to keep trusting the one who brought me back into the fold.
LikeLike
@Bill For the record, I’m a Baptist and don’t pray to Mary. I’ve been using a rosary to help pray short prayers (like the Jesus prayer), have an icon, and so far haven’t slipped down the slope into idol worship yet. 😉
This reminds me of when I was at the University of Toronto (my alma mater)’s discount theological bookstore, Crux, just behind Wycliffe College. They had some very nice (and expensive) handmade icons there, and one of my friends (a theology student) wondered aloud jokingly if that actually could be construed as idolatry, to which my other friend (also a theology student) answered that icons don’t count as they’re pictoral representations that aren’t direct images of God or Christ — if it was a photograph of Christ, *then* it would be idolatry.
…or something like that anyway. It was a while ago, and my memory isn’t what it used to be.
LikeLike
My “Gear” is simple. I have a Jerusalem Cross that I wear most days, and a dog tag-like fob on my house keys reminding me to ACT in response to God’s promptings.
LikeLike
Oh, yeah — I also have two pins that make frequent appearances on my denim jacket: one that says “Heck is for people who don’t believe in Gosh,” and one with a picture of Jesus knocking at the door that says “Jesus is Coming, Look Busy.”
Thank God my pastor has a sense of humor!
LikeLike
I am Protestant.
I am Presbyterian.
I am Born Again.
I am evangelical.
I have a rosary…a Catholic Rosary (I’d love to get the Orthodox rosary.)
I pray with the rosary.
I say the Catholic Rosary prayer..Hail Mary..etc.
I meditate on the life of Christ depending on the day of the week in the tradition of the RCC.
I don’t worship Mary. I venerate her, my rosary, my Bible, my parents, pictures of my family, the stuff all yooz guys are describing you wear and hang,…and venerate.
I use the Magnificat for daily readings of prayers and scripture. Gives great focus.
I listen to the Liturgy of the Hours of the RCC on my eyepod daily. Love em.
Oh..did I say I’m Presbyterian, evangelical and Protestant?
I listen to Daily Scriptures on my Ipod from the Orthodox tradition.
I’m Protestant, evangelical, Presbyterian and Born Again.
I prefer Orthodox books and Catholic books and I love the Pope.
I’m Protestant, evangelical, Presbyterian and Born Again…still.
Why not read more evangelical books? I do. But I could go into a Christian Bookstore and fire a cannon of buckshot and wouldn’t miss most of the books destroyed because most of them are pap anyway. Give me red meat.
Why am I still Protestant. Well…I may not be one for long if the Protestants don’t get their act together. No, I won’t become Catholic because I don’t agree with so much of their structure. But, I appreciate their understanding of worship that includes using scripture in singing and worship, the way it was originally intended to be used. I especially enjoy the Orthodox worship. But…BUT…the hierarchial order really bugs me. I just can’t swallow it.
O.K. So I may be confused…like a fox I think.
Rich
Fun thread Imonk
LikeLike
It’s not exactly “gear,” since these things serve as prompts to prayer and contemplation, not necessarily as foci. Still, I have a very traditional icon of the Virgin and Child that my mother brought back from a trip to a Middle European monastary decades ago; three very modern icons of Raphael, Michael, and Gabriel, celebrating them as patrons of modern technology, that I was given recently as a gift; a 1928 Book of Common Prayer from my youth as an Episcopalian that I love for its language; and some of the beads for a strand of prayer beads that I’ll finish when the rest of the beads get here (not exactly a single-decade rosary, but will look much like one).
Liberal soul that I am, there’s also a framed print of Kuan Yin hanging over the fireplace–not because I’m Buddhist, but because it’s beautiful and a reminder that mercy is important to life. There are also small bronze statues of Ma’at and Ptah–the ancient Egyptian personifications of the order of the universe and of all forms of creation. The Zoroastrian Ameretat, Spirit of Immortality, hangs with the Archangels which were part of the same gift. None of them are necessary to worship, of course, but all serve as reminders to remember and be grateful.
LikeLike
12 stones came to mind with this discussion. Did God have them set up an idol? No. He had them set up a physical marker as a reminder to them of what he had done.
LikeLike
1) Do any non-Catholics here have anything like a home altar? (Fr. Ernesto doesn’t count – he probably has a home iconostasis)
2) About icons turning into idols, I’m reminded of the fate of the bronze serpent in the OT. It was made by Moses under the instruction of God. It performed miracles. It was kept for several centuries and venerated by the people, apparently without issue. But by the end of the Jewish Kingdom (somewhere in 2 Kings) it had become an idol, something rivaling God somehow. (I suspect some syncretism with a foreign god) So the authorities took it down and destroyed it.
It seems the same with Catholics… if some devotion got out of hand, the Church would suppress it. End of story. Of course, this isn’t very reassuring if you think the authorities already encourage and participate in idolatry, or if you think the Spirit does not ultimately protect the Church from falling into error.
3) As for gear, I have a single rosary that I found when I bought my first house. I think of it as Our Lady’s housewarming gift to me. I also have a cross above my marriage bed. I’m envious of those with all sorts of cool stuff. Holy envy, mind you.
LikeLike
Ray A — try a soft suede leather cord.
My gear: I have a Celtic advent wreath that my sister gave me last year; love using it. The only wearable gear I have is what’s called a fairystone. It’s a small stone crystal that is formed naturally in the shape of a cross, and they are found in only a few parts of the world, one being about 25 miles from where I live; the technical name for it is staurolite. They can be dark brown, light brown, gray, or almost white; mine is dark brown and I wear it 24/7. I also have one attached to the ribbon marker in my Bible, which stays permanently at Luke 19:40. The fairystone definitely bears out the truth of that verse!
LikeLike
Just snapped a quick picture of my prayer corner in my office. The photo has notes about what’s there and how I use it.
For the record, I’m a Baptist and don’t pray to Mary. I’ve been using a rosary to help pray short prayers (like the Jesus prayer), have an icon, and so far haven’t slipped down the slope into idol worship yet. 😉
Great thread, iMonk.
LikeLike
Good point. I think it has everything to do with it. Jesus had to be one or the other and (notwithstanding Deborah et al) to follow a woman or pray to a woman would have been unthinkable in that time and place.
LikeLike
Mick
I understand if you look at a church as building, the building itself has those things, but the church as Christ’s body is different.
LikeLike
Okay then.
Never has it ever crossed my mind to worship “gear” and not the Lord, just as looking at a photo of my son would never cause me to prefer a Polaroid over being with my actual child.
LikeLike
Brian,
I have quite a bit of “gear” in my study. Icons, various crosss, paintings, e.g., Rembrandt’s “Return of the Prodigal, etc. I don’t know that I “need” it but it helps me connect the sensory, to my mind and Spirit as I reflect on life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Most churches have such “gear”, even most protestant churches, whether it be a cross, stained glass, banners, etc.
LikeLike
And does a total rejection of the physical not create a slippery slope towards gnosticism?
LikeLike
I am not saying they are idols, and I am not saying they are wrong.
I am just wondering if you could easily start to worship the token and not Christ?
I do not have any “gear” so that is why I am asking.
LikeLike
Brian, you’re kidding, right?
Don’t you have a little picture your child made for you hanging up somewhere that makes you smile and think of him/her?
What about the jar of shells you picked up on the beach that reminds you of a great family vacation?
Do you wear a wedding ring that is a token and remembrance of your marriage vows?
These things aren’t idols, and neither are our “gear” items. They are remembrances and devotional aids that enrich our spiritual lives.
(Well, except maybe for that big ol’ altar to the 6′ statue of Mary I have in my bedroom . . . )
JK, people, JK.
LikeLike
I still have my rosary beads from when I went to Catholic school all those many years ago. Don’t tell the other members of my meeting though…
LikeLike
What does a person need “gear” for?
Does this not create a slippery slope into worshipping idols?
Brian
LikeLike
Imonk,
I think your description of what baptist believe about Roman Catholics is pretty spot on, despite the fact that it is hard to pigeon hole baptist on any belief we are so schizo on so many things.
I would add my own personal summary and opinion.
I think you hit it right on in that most baptist I meet, and honestly myself included believe something along the lines of
“Roman Catholics can be saved, if they are able enough to see thru all the extra stuff, and finally come to a simple faith alone in Christ.”
Its the old they can be saved “despite of being RC”
I know that may sound offensive to my RC friends, and i apologize in advance, but it is just honesty.
As far as gear goes,
I have a wooden cross (I have the typical fundie baptist engrained rejection to all crucifixes)
I also have a nice advent wreath. I had some explaining to do there when my folks came over last Christmas.
On top of that I have what no self respecting baptist pastor I know would be without…
black wingtip lace up shoes, (no slip on’s those are for sissies), a really large black Thompson Chain KJV bible, a black suit, dark tie, white long sleeve shirt, hankie, and a pocket full of certs
it’s funny we baptist dog on folks who preach in either robes or clerical gear when we are just as committed to our own “dress”
LikeLike
Joe: “we’ve made him male for all intents and purposes”
Would you say that the Incarnation of God as Jesus Christ (a male) has something to do with that? Or that same Jesus’ statements about God, the Father?
Ed:
I remember hearing once that it would only be holy if you display it according to the Flag Code, which I hear the Founding Fathers wrote out of obscure commentaries to Leviticus 18! 🙂
LikeLike
I do not have any gear. But what you have in your picture is absolutely beautiful and has inspired me to acquire some. One of things I’m learning is that evangelicals really tend toward dualism and gnosticism. Material things are bad. This has distorted our view of beauty and art and has negatively affected our faith and worship of God.
(BTW, I’m sure you are aware that there is some really sad things being said about you and others of us at a certain website. I recently found out that I have abandoned the truth and no longer believe in the authority and sufficiency of the work of Christ! This was news to me! Wow.)
LikeLike
Lessee…
I’ve got a simple olivewood cross on my wall that I bought in Jerusalem. It reminds me of my childhood and going to mass with my folks when I was too young to understand anything, but still felt Jesus there. My folks had a buncha olivewood gear when I was growing up.
I’ve got a set of Anglican prayer beads that I made. From wooden beads and hemp. This is the set I usually use when I pray with beads. I like the flexibility of the form.
Then I’ve got four catholic rosaries. One I bought in Mexico. One is a “Jesus roasary” in a Medjugory style (I think). My mom liked to pray with this kind of rosary. The third is olivewood that I bought in Jerusalem.
And the fourth is a cheap plastic one that was given for use at my grandmother’s memorial service. While it’s the least fancy of the bunch, it’s the one that means the most to me.
For starters, it reminds me of my incredibly kind and strong grandmother. But it was also the first time I experienced the wonderful communal meditation of a congregational rosary recitation. It was a very, very neat time. I did feel bad for my protestant cousins, though. They had no clue what was going on.
LikeLike
I have 2 pieces of gear. I have a black gothic cross that a lady gave to me. I helped her out of satanism and she gave it to me as a present. She has MPD. I also have a necklace I made myself. I took a nail and painted it with red fingernail polish. Tied the head of it to a string. You get the idea.
LikeLike
I feel left out of the icon arms race. Maybe I should go get me one of those family-of-four Jesus-fish sets for my truck.
Oooh, I do have an American flag. They display one just like it at my church, so does that make mine at home count as a holy icon?
LikeLike
iPhone with 1) Mantis Bible app including NASB, NIV, MSG, and KJV and a few commentaries and so on; 2) prayer list database.
LikeLike
Even though God is both male and female we’ve made him male for all intents and purposes. I think there is a subconscious need for the divine feminine in addition to the divine masculine. I find it powerful to pray to God as a woman. The Jews were intent upon eliminating Goddess worship in Canaan and this comes across in the OT. You do find some mentions – Wisdom is a woman and she was there when the world was created.
LikeLike
I used to carry one of those aluminum prayer crosses in my pocket years ago, but now I just carry an extra quarter to rent a shopping cart at Aldi’s 🙂
I’m not big on the kitschy stuff, but since you asked…I’ve posted a pic of my gear at:
http://where-we-live.blogspot.com/2009/04/whats-your-gear.html
LikeLike
Some one mentioned 1662/1979 BCP – if you’re counting that as gear…. I have a 1928 BCP that my wife got me for Christmas a couple of years ago that has been really neat to use on a few occasions. I need to utilize it more than I do…. things to work on! Also, a 1958 edition of the Lutheran Service Book and Hymnal that belonged a very close best friend and fellow organist and after his passing in June 2004 it came to me from his wife who gave me his entire music library and it was part of that. He was orgainst at the Lutheran church in Gatlinburg,TN – last church he served before his passing.
LikeLike
My gear (that I need to use more) – I have a Catholic rosary that came to me through my grandmother (dad’s mother) and it belonged to her youngest sister who passed in 1969. Her name was Lucille (raised baptist) and I don’t remember ever meeting her – she met and married a guy from New Orleans who was Catholic and she became Catholic also – you know the rules….. especially so back then. The rosary and a small metal icon were the only items from aunt Lucille that my grandmother had and she kept the rosary in a cloth zippered pouch under a pillow on her bed for as long as I can remember. When my grandmother passed in July 1984 one else in the family wanted the rosary – except me and the biggest use I’ve made of it recently was during my mother’s sickness and passing
in March 2004 – I kept in with me all during that time and it was a comfort to me in a way that I can’t really explain during that time – more to that story but will wait for another time as this comment is already getting long.
I also have a Protestant rosary (episcopal/anglican) that I purchased in Ketchikan, Alaska last summer while there on a cruise. I went by the small episcopal church there and found a nice suprise in the simplistic beauty of the building and the really nice stained glass windows and even a pipe organ – very few of those in Alaksa. On the way out I was speaking with a couple of the ladies of the church I noticed a wood/glass cabinet and inside were some of the nicest and most beautiful rosaries that I had ever seen and they told me about them and that the ladies of the church made them to sell to raise a little money for the parish. I decided I had to have one so and bought one that has green colored beads on it and it came with a pamphlet that told a little bit about it and some suggested prayers or, if you prefer, you could use your own prayers.
I’ll try to get a photo or two of my rosaries sent and a few photos of the church building as well.
RM
P.S. – Yes, I did play the pipe organ…. what else would you expect!
LikeLike
I have two small medals on my keychain – St. Monica and St. Don Bosco. I ask St. Monica to join with me in prayers for my husband and St. Don Bosco in prayers for my school-hating son. Every time I grab my keys, I am reminded to send up a little prayer for the both of them.
I can never keep track of rosaries – I think that’s why God gave me 10 fingers.
LikeLike
In our great room (not really that great, but it is a den/dining room/kitchen combo) we have a beautiful Celtic cross candle holder that my husband gave me several years ago. We also have a few very cool crosses hanging in various places all over my house. I also keep different books that aid in my prayer/in remembering the gospel (not necessarily books of prayer or scripture) scattered about. Just seeing certain books that are near and dear to my heart kind of catches my attention/adjusts my attitude.
Before I was a Christian I had a small cross that I kept in my pocket or handbag. Not sure why. Maybe there was part of me that knew I needed the Cross. I need to see if I still have that cross…
LikeLike
Are we going to get an updated look at your devotional gear in part two? I would be interested…
LikeLike
Heather, it’s “blessed art thou among women.” comes from Lk 1:28. Same phrase is in Lk 1:42.
(I’ve never heard “blessed art thou among sinners”.)
LikeLike
LOOOOOOVED the irony alert! But of course she would probably insist that what she’s doing isn’t “judging” – it’s “discernment”! Of course it is, sure …
* * *
A question for the assembled: I have two pendant crosses, both of which were gifts from my wife (aka the Supermodel), but neither of which I wear often because the chains (metal) scrape up the back of my neck. Any recommendations on what a literally thin-skinned person can replace the chains with?
LikeLike
WWJD bracelet, “Jesus is my homeboy” T-shirt, “In case of Rapture, car’s yours!” bumper sticker, Thomas Kincaide painting, Precious Moments angel statuette, couple of American Family Association newsletters…
🙂
LikeLike
Lot’s of gear in my house both Latin and and Eastern (love the icons). I have a beautiful olive wood cruucifix in the bedroom. Yes we have rosaries.
Heather – rosaries – when done in the right frame of mind – is not rote prayer but a way of meditating on the life of Jesus (young life, passion, ascension, ministry).
Martha – you’re Catholic and you actually have a family bible – you guys must do it differently across the water (grin). Actually I have more than a few myself but I need to get a big one now that I have traced my Irish roots to County Cork…
LikeLike
Why would a guy want to keep gear in his pocket?
1) More useful than spare change
2) Reminder to pray
3) The easy parts of rosary build confidence
while one is memorizing the rest
4) To meditate on the mysteries of Christ
LikeLike
Irony alert:
Here’s the “Verse of the Day” at EM:
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:37-38, ESV)
You can’t make this stuff up.
peace
ms
LikeLike
Heather W:
I’m sure the Catholics will answer. Just please be clear that Protestants/Evangelicals are not praying to Mary.
Heather, might I ask you this:
What is the value of singing a chorus over and over while “attempting to commune with God?”
What is the value of Jews reciting the Shema over and over at God’s command?
What is the value of praying the Lord’s Prayer at every service?
peace
ms
LikeLike
KY Boy – Ordered it? Man, that’s the only type of ornament I have on our Christmas tree. 279 of ‘em. Sure some people might think that’s a bit over the top for a four footer, but hey, to each their own.
LikeLike
when the time is right I’ll get some good gear. for now it’s the 1662 and 1979 Books of Common Prayer for me.
LikeLike
OK. Got to ask. Anyone ordered the late night TV Prayer Cross with the hidden engraved Lord’s Prayer? Only 2 payments of $19.99 plus $7.99 S&H.
prayercross.com
LikeLike
Heather, I’ll try to answer briefly without launching into a complete explanation of the Rosary here – out of respect to IMonk and because it doesn’t seem appropriate. It has been discussed on this Blog many times before anyway.
I understand why you feel the way you do. I thank you for you gentleness in expressing how you feel. I don’t expect to change that, but I would like to answer your questions. I hope this doesn’t spark a debate.
But why include Mary in one’s prayers?
The first part of the Hail Mary you quoted honors Mary with scripture (Luke 1:28 and Luke 1:42) the last part you didn’t quote ends with “Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of death.”
The original meaning of the word pray (from latin: precari, from prec-, prex request, prayer; akin to Old High German frÄga question, frÄgÄ“n to ask) is simply to ask. When we “pray to Mary” we aren’t worshiping her, and don’t think she is a goddess, we are simply asking her for a favor. The favor we ask is that she pray for us.
We ask her to pray for us for the same reason I might ask you to pray for me, because often my own prayers seem feeble, and the more prayer the better. And we ask Mary because she conceived, bore in her womb for 9 months, gave birth to, nursed, taught, loved and served Jesus, stood at the foot of the cross in sorrow, was present in the upper room and she was the one who asked Jesus to perform his first public miracle – who better to ask for prayers.
…over and over while one is attempting to commune with God? It is a form of meditation, and strictly optional. Frankly, I’d guess something less than 2% of Catholics have prayed even 1 decade of the Rosary in the past 12 months.
Peace
@GNW_Paul
LikeLike
I don’t mind if someone wants to use prayer beads, but, I admit the Rosary does make me squirm. What is the value of saying, “Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among sinners..” over and over while one is attempting to commune with God? I hope that doesn’t make me a prude. I definitely affirm that many catholics are legitimate followers of Jesus and likewise many protestants on the other hand, are not. I’m an equal opportunity critic. So I hope this is not perceived as an anti-catholic thing on my part. But why include Mary in one’s prayers? Definitely feels to me like a concession to goddess worship which worked its way into christian practice.
LikeLike
I have lots of books and the obligatory crosses and crucifixes on the walls. However since we started having family devotions every evening with our two young boys and infant daughter, we have used candles on the coffee table in the living room to create a kind of impromptu altar.
I also have a silk ribbon and sterling silver bookmarker for my bible. It consists of three silk ribbons fastened together at one end with a silver cross, and at the end of each ribbon is a silver symbol, one for the Father, a silver fish for the Son and a silver dove for the Holy Spirit.It was a gift from one of my first girlfriends, and I still use it.
LikeLike
Martha… not meaning to give you a hard time, but hey – I lived in a small convent with 9 nuns for close to 2 years, and I’m not even Catholic! They were some of the most gracious people you could ever hope to meet, and encouraged me tremendously in following Christ in my own life. (I was much younger than them, not even 21, and very wet behind the ears in lots of ways.)
So far be it from me to condemn “gear,” or to start up some of these same old same old silly controversies here. I’m profoundly grateful to God – and “the girls” – for allowing me to be apart of their community for a time. Am finding that, as a middle-aged, unmarried woman, a *lot* of things that they did in their daily lives have more relevance for me now than I could ever have possibly imagined.
Mad props to them all!
LikeLike
No gear, personally. I have a sculpture of Jesus carrying the Cross, all made from welded nails and railroad spikes, but I have it more because I enjoy the art than because it serves as an aid in prayer or helps me to focus.
I do find that my best times in prayer are also times I spend doing something else: writing, for instance, or gardening.
And Michael, I have to say that I’m officially jealous of the critical attention you get. I’ve had people disagree with me strongly, but it’s been ages since someone accused me of leading people astray.
LikeLike
My “gear” I hardly know where to start! I’m sure I’d start the controversy all over if I just posted 1 pictures of it all piled on the kitchen table! Some would certainly have a good laugh at the ‘poor unsaved Catholic.’
Thing is, I Know I don’t need the gear. I don’t need it to be holy. I don’t need it to pray. And I certainly don’t need it to be saved.
I also know that all of it together doesn’t mean spit against my sinfulness! Only Jesus Christ Crucified, died and resurrected is worth anything against my sinfulness.
I do find it all helpful. It is not just a bunch of clutter or just for decoration. Catechism for my kids, focusing in prayer, reminders to pray, and an establishment of our identity as a family are all reasons I choose to have this “gear.”
Although I can use my fingers to count prayers, I prefer beads.
So general overview of my Gear.
On Me at nearly all times:
1) Scapular
2) St. Benedict Medal
3) St. Christopher Medal
4) Miraculous Medal
5) small crucifix
6) “Prayer beads” brought from Lourdes France by a friend
7) Bronze sobriety Medallion
At Home: I listed it, but decided it would probably just be inflammatory!
LikeLike
Oooooh crap. But the fact that we have similar iconic wavelengths should worry you. I know it worries others.
And Ragamuffin – holler at me – my friend Debi makes some very nice Anglican rosaries. ‘Course you can get one of mine too – it’s all love man, all love.
LikeLike
My gear is a 7-mm pink Swarovski crystal rosary in my pocket … that I hardly ever think to pray on.
LikeLike
Now Martha…..I’ve been trying to avoid that all day!
LikeLike
My gear:
A Celtic cross that my brother made for me. I wear this one most all the time.
A St. Benedict cross that was given to me by my mother and her fiance. I wear this one when I am not wearing my Celtic cross.
A simple cord rosary that was given to me by a complete stranger. It’s quite special because it was given at a particularly hard time in life. Usually stays at home.
Anglican prayer beads that I wear on my left wrist.
LikeLike
Alan:
You and I have a lot of the same icons. Mine are in my classroom. I have a lot of Ethiopian Orthodox students and they really appreciate them.
But on a more serious note, dude…..you are so going to hell.
peace
ms
LikeLike
Somebody enlighten me – what *are* the ancient pagan links between rosaries and prayer beads?
I do vaguely know that Muslims use something along the lines of prayer beads, and Buddhists (ah! here come the Buddhists again!) use strings of beads to count off prayers, but unless there is someone seriously maintaining that Buddhist mala = Catholic rosary, I’m stumped.
And Leviticus 18? With the long list of prescriptions against incest and sexual perversion? Applies to the rosary?
What does she think we’re *doing* with the beads?!
LikeLike
Well, I can’t not post on this deal. I walked around taking pictures of my “gear” tonight so I could upload them to Flickr before tomorrow. I’ll be too busy trying to earn my salvation by abstaining from the internet. I meeeaaann, being very quiet and somewhat tortured. 🙂
Anyway – check them out – pictures not the greatest – it’s dark and I don’t like flash photography – descriptions with each photo.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adcreech/archives/date-posted/2009/04/03/
LikeLike
Michael, I was more amused by her general denunciation of all we RCs as non-Christians despite our delusions to the contrary and you as (presumably?) next door to non-Christian because you’re steering good Christian folk to a non-Christian site. I did think her initial post was tongue-in-cheek teasing about getting people to vote for her candidate, but wow – no, it was all serious. Eep!
I certainly didn’t take her as a representative of the entire Baptist denomination. There are some very flaky Catholics on either extreme out there whom I would hate to have held up as “This is a typical Catholic and he/she says… so that’s the Official Church Teaching!” Though since she’s not a Baptist, why then is she so worried about who will win the Baptist blogger award?
I’m only surprised the word “simony” wasn’t flung about, though that could be because she’s never heard of the term? 🙂
Still, if you do win, then all that secret Vatican funding to buy votes and corrupt good God-fearing Christian folk will be worth every penny 😉
LikeLike
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51251886@N00/3407945579/
Thanks for sharing iMonk! I was also an InterVarsity kid and college provided a solid opportunity for me to really meet and fellowship with Catholics. While I was in IV I spent four out of my five years leading prayer ministry. I came in not knowing much about prayer other than we were supposed to pray and came out with a deep passion and heart for prayer. During that time I was encouraged to explore the many practices of prayer in Christianity and use different practices to help teach people about the value of prayer. By the time I had graduated I had put together a nice little study on prayer for my chapter and a collection of “Protestant safe” litanies (I don’t know if we ever used them more than once unfortunately).
My senior year I was in a place spiritually where I felt I wanted a more visible and present reminder of Christ than what my memory could deliver. I didn’t like the empty cross that is so common among Protestants because it seemed commercialized and empty of meaning (I realize some Catholics and former Catholics think the same thing of the crucifix). I had come to appreciate some of the objects my Catholic friends and liked the historical story behind the creation of the rosary. I determined as an act of worship I would make my own prayer rope like the monks used before the rosary existed. I bought the crucifix online, the little cross and the rope at a craft store. My original plan was to tie 150 knots like the original prayer ropes which took two days to accomplish. I marked every decade with one of the little crosses for the “Our Father.” I realized very quickly after I was finished how cumbersome that much rope was so I cut off ten decades and made it the traditional five decade rosary. This too proved more hassle than I wanted so I eventually cut it down to the current ten knots (I never got through more than three decades in a single go anyways).
Unfortunately, I very rarely use mine anymore for prayer (I’m terrible at quiet times since coming to seminary). When I do use it I start by staring at the crucifix to focus my mind on Christ and get out all the distractions. Then I pray an Our Father. I put my fingers between the crucifix and the first knot and let every space between knots be time where I listen for the Holy Spirit to give me something to pray for. When I have something to pray for I move my fingers to touch the knot and then pray whatever I was lead to pray. When I get to the cross at the end of the rope I pray a final “Our Father” and that’s how I use mine. Mary doesn’t come into the picture ever for those worried about that. When I’m not praying with it I’ll either keep it in my pocket as a reminder to be constantly in prayer or I’ll hang it somewhere prominent in my room where I’ll notice it (though I’d like to get a big crucifix for that some day).
LikeLike
I don’t have “gear,” but I do have books… (Well OK, the gear’s stashed in drawers; haven’t worn any of it for years and years.) I’m down with the prayer books, including the Roman Catholic missal, though I don’t currently own a copy.
LikeLike
Actually, I’d like some gear. If we had the room in our house, I’d love to create a prayer corner. Maybe put a cross (or *gasp* a crucifix or icon) there, some candles and prayer books and maybe some Anglican prayer beads.
But perhaps one of the Celtic rosaries Alan makes can suffice in the meantime. But I hear beads and strings are a violation of Leviticus 18:30, the regulative principle and might even be illegal in most Southern states.
LikeLike
Martha:
I have no idea what Christian denomination Everyday Mommy belongs to. She only lists the non-denominational Cambridge declaration on her website and no church affiliation. So please don’t associate her with my denomination, Southern Baptists. I wouldn’t venture a guess.
What I will say about Southern Baptists is this (NOT speaking for them or for me. Just painting with a broad brush.):
1) They are not confessionally committed to rejecting Catholics as Christians.
2) Many of us believe that many Catholics have a simple saving faith in Jesus, no matter what else they may or may not believe.
3) I think the majority of our team would say the RCC is in serious error, but there is sufficient truth in her teachings to be genuinely saved.
4) I’ve met very few Southern Baptists who reject the salvation of all Catholics.
5) Most Baptists would attempt to clarify the Gospel, Biblical authority and justification by faith alone with a Catholic friend.
6) The average Baptist suffers more from ignorance about Catholicism than a belief that all RCs are lost. This is partially the RCs fault for being so complicated. The explanation given over at EMs for Mary NOT being worshiped is plain to me now, but there’s a lot to be explained, and then there are all those Mexican Catholics who appear to be, well…you know.
peace
ms
LikeLike
Just ordered a prayer rope through Ebay from a monastery in Jerusalem. I’m looking forward to it. I’d like to get an icon of “the Harrowing of Hell” — Christ standing on the gates of Hell, pulling Adam and Eve out of their graves. The theology is so beautiful. I probably won’t be venerating it any time soon, however. I also have painting of Jesus that I’ve hung over my bed every place that I’ve lived. Maybe it’s superstition, but I’ve always found it comforting. My parents bought it in Mexico when I was a baby.
LikeLike
My gear..
The sun. The moon. The stars. The wind in the trees. The smile of a child. The sweet shape of a woman holding her baby. My grandson. The feel of my grandfathers black bound leather Bible. A screen door when it slams. The gift of my grandmother’s asparagus plant now more than ten years old and at least that many years after her passing. My lived version of the prodigal son story. The words grace, peace, forgiveness, resurrection. The pure joy of knowing that every day above ground is a good day.
They all point me toward and speak to me of the One.—Jesus.
grace and peace,
Curtis B.
LikeLike
No pictures, but the average Catholic stuff around the house – rosary beads (of course!), crucifix over bedroom door; pictures of the Madonna and Child in the bedrooms; Sacred Heart picture in kitchen; the Sacred Heart statue, another crucifix (this one standing on its own base), picture of Mother of Perpetual Succour, small statue of St. Anthony of Padua and – ta-dah! – the big family Bible! in the living room; holy water font in entrance hallway; in assorted drawers all over the place various holy medals, blessed candles, holy picture cards, holy water (from all over – Knock, Lourdes, Easter Water), prayer books, missals, etc.
That is to say, the usual tchotchkes 🙂
Don’t want to throw fuel on the fire, but I did appreciate the inclusion by the lady, who is much exercised over whether you are a ‘proper’ Baptist, on her list of “Observations”:
5. Catholics think they are Christians
Why, yes. Yes, we do. Is she gently hinting at something there, so subtly that it’s passing over my head? 🙂
LikeLike
Gear… a wooden Tau cross on a chain, but I don’t know if habits count as “gear.” 🙂 (People always ask if I’m wearing my initial!)
LikeLike
My “gear” such as it is, is just the simplest of crosses, the kind you’d get in the bargain bin of your local Christian bookstore, that was purchased for me when I first started down the road to faith in Christ. It is very small and kept on a very short chain normally, since until I moved away the whole notion of my faith was of great pain to my parents, so having something I could stuff in a pocket or that wouldn’t fall out from under a shirt was a big advantage.
Someday I’m hoping I’ll supplement that with gear that will remind me of the happier side of faith too.
LikeLike
I don’t have any “gear”…not because I’m iconoclastic or anything…just that I never bothered to buy one…is that a bad thing?
LikeLike
Apostate.
LikeLike